Kildare – Newbridge Municipal District Agenda Reports for December 2014

1. In light of on-going issues with pay-parking in Newbridge, that this council incentives shoppers to come into Newbridge with the effect of helping trade in the town. Following feedback from traders and residents/shoppers, possible solutions include offering 2 hours free from 9.00am to 11.00am with paid parking resuming from 11am, starting 20th December. This would incentivise shoppers to come into the town but also to come into town earlier.

Report: This is a matter for the members. However, the roads department would advise that any free parking should apply in the evening rather than in the morning i.e. from 3.30pm onwards. Otherwise shoppers would have to return to their vehicles at 11am to place a pay and display ticket on them and if a shopper is delayed he/she may then receive a fine. It is noted that the proposed start date for this arrangement is 20th December but no end date is proposed – the roads department requests that the members indicate an end date for this arrangement.

2. That the council call on the government to ensure funding is made available to Teach Tearmainn women’s refuge in Kildare town to meet the urgent need of women and children who suffer domestic violence and to protect those who may otherwise face homelessness.

Report:With effect from 1st January 2015, funding of domestic violence services will be transferred from the department of environment, community and local government to the department of children and youth affairs. Tusla will have overall responsibility for funding the provision of accommodation and related services for victims of domestic violence and the funding arrangements for domestic violence services are a matter between such services and Tusla. Victims of domestic are accommodated as far as possible in domestic violence refuges because of their specific needs in seeking respite from violence and abuse and the transfer of funding does not disadvantage victims of domestic violence.

3. Have any potential opportunities been identified for short term provision of emergency homeless accommodation in any of the publicly owned land or properties in Kildare? Have the council considered the potential for the vacant houses lying idle in the Curragh to be used to ensure that there is sufficient emergency accommodation available.

Report : The council continue to assess each presentation we receive for access to homeless services on a case by case basis and where individuals cannot utilise their friends and family support network, we utilise our commercially available family units, the emergency beds available in Mount Offaly House and the homeless beds in Cuain Mhuire where necessary. In addition we are working with St. Vincent de Paul to get Michael Garry House operational before Christmas. Given the Department of Defence’s current position with regard to existing accommodation within the Curragh Camp it is not our intention to approach them. We are continuing to look at a number of options to procure additional stock and are also working with homeless service providers who will provide additional support.

4. Can the council agree to support Christmas light erection, maintenance and ongoing costs across the county?

Here is the report issued by Marian Higgins, Acting County Librarian. Heretofore, there has been various mechanisms to supply Christmas lights to the towns of Athy, Leixlip, Newbridge and Naas, funding for same was provided by Athy, Leixlip, Newbridge and Naas town councils. The total fund currently available is €72,680.

From an operational point of view Kildare county council, Community section do not have a workforce to erect and maintain Christmas lights. Similarly aside from the monies that the above mentioned town councils provided there is no allocation within the budget 2015 for Christmas lights.In each municipal area, councillors need to identify towns for Christmas light installation and also to provide the extra funding provision for same. Councillors also need to consider an equitable system to grant monies to communities to erect, maintain and provide for the ongoing cost of the installations. A Christmas light grant system could be considered by councillors.

Adjourned Motions

5. That the council install traffic lights at Allenwood Cross as there is very heavy traffic mainly from lorries drawing loads to Drehid and, if necessary, this money should be taken from the Drehid community allocation.

Report : An application has been made to the National transport Authority (NTA) for funding in 2015 to introduce an urban improvement scheme at this location. Details of the approved grant allocation for 2015 are expected later this month.

6. That the council provide two accessible parking spots in Rathangan, one near the pharmacy and one near the post office.

Report: The municipal district office will include this for consideration. It should be noted that the road marking layout will be limited to the area over the bridge to the T-junction with the Newtown Road (R414). A proposed layout will be circulated to the members in the early weeks of 2015.

7. That the council indicate the works it intends to carry out in Mount Carmel estate, Newbridge during the year.

Report:

The municipal district office will be undertaking repair works to kerbing in the estate in the coming weeks. The repairs concentrate on the junction. Further repairs will be undertaken on a number of previous road openings completed during gas installation and a lip between concrete sections on the road. Any further works to the estate will be considered as part of a survey of the estates in the municipal district identifying schemes for local Property tax and pay parking funded works for 2015.

8. That the council expedite the opening of the link road between the R401 and the R419 at the bog cross, Rathangan and the extinguishment of the public right of way at Bournes Lane.

Report :The director of services will report on this at the meeting

9. That the council install a yellow box between the stop sign and the traffic lights at the railway bridge on the Rathbride road, Kildare. It is submitted that the traffic does not stop at the stop sign but rather crosses the induction loop and waits just in front of the lights which can cause danger to oncoming traffic.

Report: This matter will be investigated by the traffic management section to determine if the measures are warranted

10. That this council opens up immediate discussions with Kildare village retail outlet and the operator of bus services which stop on the R415, to discuss road improvements which are needed to help improve traffic conditions and road safety. Traffic calming measures must be carried out before completion of phase two of the retail village as conditions are such that an accident backing onto the M7 is becoming a high possibility and safe access for locals into the exiting Kildare town has been severely affected.

Report: The municipal district office has safety concerns in relation to the current operation of the bus stop at this location. A design has been prepared whereby two off-road bus bays can be provided whilst maintaining two-way traffic. The works will require lands currently owned by Kildare village. In order to advance the scheme a funding source has to be identified. Discussions are ongoing with Kildare village and the bus operator (Dublin coach) to identify a mechanism for funding for the scheme to be constructed. In the event of a funding source not being identified Kildare county council will be forced to implement legal procedures to have the stop removed. The municipal district office will advise the members on progress of the discussions.

11. That the council put appropriate line markings on the road into the curragh at Donnellys hollow.

Report: Following the recent road overlay work the municipal district office will be undertaking line marking in the area. The municipal district engineer requests the Councillor to make contact to discuss this issue further to identify the works requested.

12 . That the council put appropriate markings on the road into the Curragh at Donnellys Hollow.

Report: Following the recent road overlay work the Municipal District Office will be undertaking line marking in the area. The Municipal District Engineer requests the Councillor to make contact to discuss this issue further to identify the works requested.

13. Can the council alter the signalling and timing of the lights at Byrnes Cross, Newbridge to ensure that cars turning right to go to Scoil an Naomh Uilig, Rosconnell and Roseberry Hill have adequate turning time?

Report : There are some works scheduled to be undertaken at Byrnes Cross in the coming week including the replacement of a damaged signal pole and the repair of a chamber in the footpath. Altercation of the staging arrangement to improve traffic flows at the junction during peak hours is currently being considered.

14. In view of the ongoing problem of flooding on the Power Station Road at the entrance to the Allenwood GFC grounds, can the council take immediate and appropriate action to resolve the situation?

Report: The Kildare/Newbridge Municipal District Engineer will examine this issue in the coming weeks and will report back to the Members as to possible solutions to address the issue.

15. Can the council outline its proposed works programme in the Roseberry/Tankardsgarden area of 2015?

Report: The Municipal District Office currently does not have any plans identified for this area in 2015 . If the Councillor has any specific requests that the would like examined the Municipal District Office is happy to examine and prepare a costing of the works.

16. Can the council please provide an update on the provision of the proposed bus bay at Kildare Village particularly in light of the increased traffic at this location and the serious road safety concerns?

Report: The Municipal District Office has safety concerns in relation to the current operation of the bus stop at this location. A design has been prepared whereby two off-road bus bays can be provided whilst maintaining two-way traffic. The works will require lands currently owned by Kildare Village. In order to advance the scheme a funding bus operator (Dublin Coach) to identify a mechanism for funding for the scheme to be constructed. In the event of a funding source not being identified Kildare County Council will be forced to implement legal procedures to have the stop removed. The Muncipal District Office will advise the Members on progress of the discussions.

17. Where is the report which was requested by members at the initial budget briefing, on the comparison of the running costs between private pay parking in Newbridge versus the councils pay parking operation in Naas Town?

The Director of Services will report on this at the meeting.

18. Can the area engineer examine the condition of footpaths in Carna Cottages, Suncroft and report on possible remedies for same?

Report: The Municipal District Office will examine the area and prepare a costing of works required. Until budgets are confirmed for 2015 the Municipal District Office is not in a position to commit to any such works.

19. Can we have a progress report on the delivery of a proper bus stop for private coach companies at exit 13 on the M7?

Report : The Municipal District Office has safety concerns in relation to the current operation of the bus stop at this location. A design has been prepared whereby two off-road bus bays can be provided whilst maintaining two-way traffic. The works will require lands currently owned by Kildare Village. In order to advance the scheme a funding source has to be identified. Discussions are ongoing with Kildare Village and the bus operator (Dublin Coach) to identify a mechanism for funding for the scheme to be constructed. In the event of a funding source not being identified Kildare County Coucil will be forced to implement legal procedures to have the stop removed. The Municipal District Office will advise the Members on progress of the discussions.

20. Can we get a comparative analysis of road safety numbers in Newbridge with those of Naas, the county and the country?

Report: The Director of Services will report on this at the meeting.

21. Can the council give an update on the opening of the inner link road in Newbridge?

Report: The Director of Services will report on this at the meeting.

22. When will the yellow box be restored at the exit from Cutlery Road onto Main Street, Newbridge which was removed as a result of the recent re-surfacing?

Report : A road marking contractor has been given a snag list of works required for Newbridge, Main Street. Subject to favourable weather conditions the line marking will be in place prior to the Christmas break.

23. Can a temporary removable post/bollard be made available to prevent cars exiting onto Main Street, Newbridge from John Street (illegally) and Thomas Street between 8.00 am and 10.00 am on weekdays as this adversely affects traffic flow to the bridge during peak hours and presents a dangerous manoeuvre especially those turning right?

Report: The Director of Services will report on this at the meeting.

24. That we receive an update in relation to the extension to the Allenwood Sewage Scheme.

This report is issued by G.Halton, Senior Executive Officer, Water Services. When the original Allenwood scheme was constructed approx 10 years ago an application was made at that time to DECLG for funding an extension to the original scheme designed. In reply DECLG stated that the proposal was not economically viable due to diverse nature of households and the scale of infrastructure that would be required to service them. There are no plans at present to extend this scheme, as this would entail significant Capital investment in both the networks and the waste water treatment plant, and no funding presently available. Kildare Co. Council Engineers met a deputation from Allenwood South last summer and explained the current situation to them.

25. Can this council contact the builders of Barretstown Meadows, Newbridge to access if they are going to complete the building of the traffic calming table top ramp which was to be installed as per initial planning permission?

Report issued by Veronica Cooke, A/SEO, Planning Dept. Phase one of Barrettstown Meadows was taken in charge on 29th July 2013. No submissions were made in relation to traffic calming during the statutory public consultation period of the formal taking in charge process. Any additional traffic calming in phase one is now a matter for the Municipal District Engineer. This has been referred to the Municipal District Engineer for a report.

26. Given Newbridge’s above average vacancy rate, that this municipal district identifies a business rebate scheme to promote the uptake of vacant units.

Report issued by Eileen Hanlon, Head of Finance. The records available do not indicate a higher than average vacancy rate in Newbridge, some other towns have a higher vacancy rate than that occurring in the Kildare/Newbridge municipal district.

During the term of the previous council the Finance Committee and the Economic Development SPC discussed ways of assisting and promoting business in the County. Following these discussions it was agreed to include a Business Support and Development Fund of €75,000 in the 2014 Budget to support and encourage business rather than alleviate rates. The Economic Development SPC examined how best to utilise this fund. Following discussions it was considered most appropriate to support two major events in the year. At the County Council meeting on May 14th it was agreed that this fund would be used to fund two Economic Development Initiatives a “County Kildare Expo” and a “Ready Steady Go, Business Start up competition”. Both events were organised in association with LEO, Chambers of Commerce and Business Interests. A figure of €100,000 has been included in the 2015 Revenue Budget for Business Support Initiatives. The use of this funding is to be agreed by the members of the Economic Development, Enterprise and Planning SPC in conjunction with the Local Enterprise Office. The recommendations from the Economic Development, Enterprise and Planning SPC will be represented to the full council for consideration and approval before any implementation.